Hungary's Lake Velence Shrinks Amid Rising Temperatures

Hungary’s water crisis is tightening its grip on the country’s energy and environmental security. The third‑largest lake, Lake Tisza, is shrinking at an alarming rate, while the Danube’s water level has fallen to its lowest in decades. The heat wave that has gripped Central Europe is also threatening the country’s only nuclear power plant, Paks, which relies on river water for cooling.

The drought has forced the Hungarian Water Authority to impose stricter water‑use restrictions on agriculture and industry, and the Ministry of Environment has warned that continued high temperatures could push the Danube below the minimum flow required for safe nuclear operation. Paks’ operators have already begun contingency plans, including temporary shutdowns and the use of alternative cooling methods, to prevent a loss of electricity supply and to safeguard the plant’s safety systems.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, coordinating with European partners to manage water resources and mitigate the risk of a nuclear outage. The combined pressure on water bodies and energy infrastructure underscores the urgency of Hungary’s climate adaptation strategy and its need for diversified, resilient energy sources.